More than 500 regional law enforcement officials from 80 agencies meet for Chicago Metropolitan Gang Summit at SXU

(L to R) Saint Xavier University Police Chief and Director of Public Safety Paul Kolessar, Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis and Saint Xavier University Interim President and Provost Angela Durante, Ph.D., at the Chicago Metropolitan Gang Summit at SXU.Chicago (March 3, 2010) More than 500 regional law enforcement officials met to discuss the latest tactics in dealing with gangs, guns and drugs today at the Chicago Metropolitan Gang Summit at Saint Xavier University.
Chicago Police Department Supt. Jody Weis said the summit aimed to provide law enforcement agencies with new strategies to address the city’s 75,000-plus gang members and provide networking opportunities and interdepartmental coordination.
“If we keep doing the same thing, bad guys get wise to it,” Weis said. “We have to look at different ways to do things based on what our adversaries are doing.”
Presenters included representatives from the Chicago Police, the DEA, the Cook County Department of Corrections, the Illinois Department of Corrections, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the States Attorney’s Office. They spoke to members of more than 80 area law enforcement agencies about gangs in Chicago and surrounding suburbs, new laws and federal charging, intelligence sharing, narcotics operations, and gangs in correctional institutions.
Commander Leo Schmitz of the Chicago Police Gang Enforcement Unit stressed the importance of law enforcement agencies networking and sharing intelligence, as gang members are more likely to travel across the region than in the past.
“My problem today is his problem next week,” Schmitz said.
Berwyn Police Chief William Kushner said law enforcement working together can make a significant impact on gang life.
“I’ve been in law enforcement for over 30 years and this is the first time we’ve had something like this,” he said.
Saint Xavier University Police Chief and Director of Public Safety Paul Kolessar said the Summit was an excellent opportunity for law enforcement agencies to combine their resources.
“It provides a venue for sharing critical information that affects every jurisdiction,” he said.
The Chicago Metropolitan Gang Summit was presented by Saint Xavier University, the Chicago Police Department and the Berwyn Police Department.
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Jay Foot, Executive Director of Media Relations
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